Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A Luxuriously Simple & Flavorful Meal
If you’re looking for a dish that’s elegant, easy, and bursting with flavor, look no further than Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta. This dish combines succulent shrimp sautéed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with perfectly cooked pasta, all brought together with a touch of lemon and fresh herbs. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, date nights, or special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Quick & Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, using simple pantry ingredients.
✔ Rich & Buttery: A luscious garlic butter sauce coats every bite.
✔ Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The richness of butter and shrimp is cut with a hint of lemon and chili flakes.
✔ Customizable: Add extra veggies, swap out the pasta, or make it creamy for a different twist.
✔ Protein-Packed: Shrimp is high in protein but low in calories, making this dish satisfying yet light.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
1. Overcooking the Shrimp
Shrimp cooks incredibly fast—just 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooking turns them rubbery. Solution:
- Cook shrimp until just pink and opaque, then remove them from the pan while you finish the sauce.
2. Sticky or Clumpy Pasta
Pasta should be perfectly coated in sauce, not clumpy or dry. Solution:
- Reserve pasta water to help emulsify and bind the sauce.
- Toss pasta in the sauce immediately so it absorbs the flavors.
3. Weak Garlic Flavor
Garlic is the star here! If it’s burned, it turns bitter. Solution:
- Sauté garlic on low heat for just 30 seconds to release its aroma without burning.
Choosing the Best Ingredients
1. Shrimp
✔ Large or jumbo shrimp (16-20 count per pound) – Ideal for a meaty bite.
✔ Fresh or frozen shrimp – If using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
✔ Peeled & deveined – Saves time and effort.
2. Pasta
✔ Linguine or spaghetti – Classic choices for this dish.
✔ Fettuccine or angel hair – Great for a different texture.
✔ Gluten-free pasta – Works just as well!
3. Garlic Butter Sauce
✔ Fresh garlic – The star of the sauce!
✔ Unsalted butter – Allows better control over salt levels.
✔ Olive oil – Adds depth and prevents burning.
✔ Red pepper flakes – A touch of spice enhances the buttery richness.
✔ Lemon juice & zest – Adds brightness and balances the butter.
✔ Parmesan cheese – A final sprinkle brings umami and creaminess.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces linguine or spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Garlic Butter Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled & deveined)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add pasta and cook until al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions).
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Cook the Shrimp
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add shrimp, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter over low heat.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t burn the garlic!).
- Pour in white wine (or broth), scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest.
4. Combine Everything
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat.
- Stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce clings to the pasta.
- Return the shrimp to the pan, tossing gently to combine.
- Remove from heat and mix in fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
5. Serve & Enjoy!
- Plate the pasta and shrimp, drizzling any extra sauce over the top.
- Garnish with more Parmesan, parsley, and lemon wedges.
Customization & Variations
✔ Make It Creamy: Add ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut milk for a richer sauce.
✔ Low-Carb Option: Serve over zucchini noodles (zoodles) or cauliflower rice.
✔ Add Veggies: Sauté spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
✔ Extra Protein: Toss in grilled chicken along with shrimp.
✔ Spicy Version: Increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne.
Storage & Reheating Tips
🔹 To Store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
🔹 To Reheat:
- Warm gently in a pan with a splash of water or broth.
- Avoid microwaving for too long, as shrimp can become rubbery.
Overall Timings
Total Time: 25 Minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)
(Approximate values, based on 4 servings)
- Calories: ~550
- Protein: ~35g
- Carbohydrates: ~55g
- Fat: ~20g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Sodium: ~600mg
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is the perfect balance of rich, savory flavors with a fresh citrusy kick. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just want a quick, gourmet meal, this recipe is sure to impress.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces linguine or spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon salt for pasta water
For the Garlic Butter Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled & deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add pasta and cook until al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions).
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Cook the Shrimp
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add shrimp, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter over low heat.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t burn the garlic!).
- Pour in white wine (or broth), scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest.
Combine Everything
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat.
- Stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce clings to the pasta.
- Return the shrimp to the pan, tossing gently to combine.
- Remove from heat and mix in fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
Serve & Enjoy!
- Plate the pasta and shrimp, drizzling any extra sauce over the top.
- Garnish with more Parmesan, parsley, and lemon wedges.
Notes
✔ Low-Carb Option: Serve over zucchini noodles (zoodles) or cauliflower rice.
✔ Add Veggies: Sauté spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
✔ Extra Protein: Toss in grilled chicken along with shrimp.
✔ Spicy Version: Increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne. Storage & Reheating Tips 🔹 To Store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
🔹 To Reheat: Warm gently in a pan with a splash of water or broth.
Avoid microwaving for too long, as shrimp can become rubbery.
